POUGHKEEPSIE – One of the Hudson Valley’s most notorious criminals, Jermaine “Murder” Boykin, 46, of Newburgh was arrested by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force in Poughkeepsie on Tuesday morning, following a lengthy investigation of Boykin who is suspected of frequently traveling from Newburgh to Poughkeepsie to sell fentanyl.
Boykin, a convicted felon, was captured near the criminal hotspot in the vicinity of Kennedy Fried Chicken and the neighboring vacant lot where a 55-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday night. The homicide is being investigated by the City of Poughkeepsie Police.
The accused drug dealer has been charged with felony criminal sale of a controlled substance and held at the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office pending his arraignment in city court. Several additional charges are pending.
Drug Task Force Coordinator, Detective Sergeant Adam Harris, said his agents had been focusing on drug sales in the area of Kennedy Fried Chicken at 472 Main Street in Poughkeepsie following several overdoses in the area and the Saturday night murder strengthened the efforts of the agents.
Task force agents had identified Boykin as the man selling fentanyl and cocaine at Kennedy Fried Chicken and other locations throughout the City of Poughkeepsie and undercover agents made several drug purchases from him at Kennedy Fried Chicken and other locations, which led to his arrest.
In 2017 he was shot in the back in Newburgh by James Beckwith following the discovery of a love triangle. While in jail as part of the “Family Ties” drug bust, Boykin was in the Orange County Jail where he encountered the man who shot him. Boykin attempted to choke Beckwith to death and also injured a corrections officer in the attack. For that crime, he was charged with attempted murder.
“Our agents are dedicated to protecting our community and we will investigate all drug dealers suspected of selling poison. The arrest of this latest violent felon is an example of our commitment to the people of Dutchess County,” said Harris.
If anyone has information regarding this case or about any other individuals selling drugs in Dutchess County, you are urged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or by sending an email to DrugTaskForceTips@gmail.com.
